American Indians and the United States Patent and Trademark Office: The Native American Tribal Insignia Database

The tribal insignia of American Indians offer a distinctive view into the history of these people. Recently, as the result of federal legislation, some of these materials have been brought together, for tribes that are either federally or State recognized entities, as part of the database collection maintained by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). This article focuses on the history and use of such images; the policy response by the USPTO to the charge by the Trademark Law Treaty Implementation Act (1998) to examine the USPTO’s specific responsibility to protect such official insignia; and the Office’s resulting digital product

American Indians and the United States Patent and Trademark Office: The Native American Tribal Insignia Database

The tribal insignia of American Indians offer a distinctive view into the history of these people. Recently, as the result of federal legislation, some of these materials have been brought together, for tribes that are either federally or State recognized entities, as part of the database collection maintained by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). This article focuses on the history and use of such images; the policy response by the USPTO to the charge by the Trademark Law Treaty Implementation Act (1998) to examine the USPTO’s specific responsibility to protect such official insignia; and the Office’s resulting digital product

Macrophages and Galectin 3 Control Bacterial Burden in Acute and Subacute Murine Leptospirosis That Determines Chronic Kidney Fibrosis

Previous studies have suggested that macrophages may contribute to acute Leptospira dissemination, as well as having a major role in kidney fibrosis. Our aim was to characterize the role of macrophages and galectin 3 (Gal-3) on the survival, clinical course, bacterial burden, interstitial nephritis, and chronic kidney fibrosis in Leptospira interrogans serovar Copenhageni (LIC)-induced experimental murine leptospirosis. C57BL/6J mice depleted of macrophages by liposome-encapsulated clodronate treatment and infected with LIC presented a higher bacterial burden, had reduced subacute nephritis and enhanced chronic kidney fibrosis relative to untreated, infected mice. Moreover, LIC infection in mice whose Gal-3 was disrupted (Lgals3-/-) had a higher bacterial burden and enhanced subacute nephritis and chronic kidney fibrosis when compared to C57BL/6J wild-type mice. Chronic fibrosis did not correlate with higher transcription levels of TGF-β1 or IL-13 in the kidneys. Kidney fibrosis was found in chronically infected rats as well as in wild infected rats. On the other hand, human fibroblast cultures exhibited enhanced differentiation to myofibroblasts after treatment with LIC. Our results demonstrate that macrophages and Gal-3 play a critical role in controlling the LIC burden but has a minor role in subsequent fibrosis. Instead, kidney fibrosis was better correlated with bacterial burden. Taken together, our results do not support a role for macrophages to disseminate leptospires during acute infection, nor in chronic kidney fibrosis.Fil: Ferrer, Maria Florencia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular; ArgentinaFil: Scharrig Fernandez, Maria Emilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular; ArgentinaFil: Charó, Nancy Lorena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Medicina Experimental. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Rípodas, Ana L.. Bio-lab; ArgentinaFil: Drut, Ricardo. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Ministerio de Salud. Hospital de Niños "Sor María Ludovica" de La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Carrera Silva, Eugenio Antonio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Medicina Experimental. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Nagel, Ariel Gastón. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Biotecnología; ArgentinaFil: Nally, Jarlath E.. United States Department of Agriculture. Agriculture Research Service; Estados UnidosFil: Montes de Oca, Daniela Paula. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Schattner, Mirta Ana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Medicina Experimental. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Gomez, Ricardo Martin. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular; Argentin

Interactions of Attenuated Mycobacterium tuberculosis phoP Mutant with Human Macrophages

Background: Mycobacterium tuberculosis phoP mutant SO2 derived from a clinical isolate was shown to be attenuated in mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages and in vivo mouse infection model and has demonstrated a high potential as attenuated vaccine candidate against tuberculosis. Methodology/Principal Findings: In this study, we analyze the adhesion and the intracellular growth and trafficking of SO2 in human macrophages. Our results indicate an enhanced adhesion to phagocitic cells and impaired intracellular replication of SO2 in both monocyte-derived macrophages and human cell line THP-1 in comparison with the wild type strain, consistent with murine model. Intracellular trafficking analysis in human THP-1 cells suggest that attenuation of SO2 within macrophages could be due to an impaired ability to block phagosome-lysosome fusion compared with the parental M. tuberculosis strain. No differences were found between SO2 and the wild-type strains in the release and mycobacterial susceptibility to nitric oxide (NO) produced by infected macrophages. Conclusions/Significance: SO2 has enhanced ability to bind human macrophages and differs in intracellular trafficking as to wild-type M. tuberculosis. The altered lipid profile expression of the phoP mutant SO2 and its inability to secrete ESAT-6 i

Response of obesity-resistant BALB/c mice to a ketogenic diet

Introduction. The ketogenic diet (KD) is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet in which the body undergoes metabolic adjustments that stimulate ketogenesis, thereby increasing circulating ketone bodies. Loss of body weight is attributed to these adjustments, as well as neuroprotective properties. However, the mechanisms involved are still not fully elucidated. That aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of a ketogenic diet on body composition, feeding behavior and glucose metabolism in mice of the BALB/c strain, a mouse model resistant to obesity. Materials and methods. BALB/c mice of both sexes, 12 weeks old, were divided into KD and control groups, which received a ketogenic diet (Research Diets) or standard chow (LabDiet 5001), respectively, for 23 days. Throughout the experiment, body weight gain, water and food intake were measured, whereas body mass index (BMI), the percentage of interscapular, inguinal, and visceral adipose tissue and blood b-hidroxybutyrate levels were measured at the end of the protocol. In addition, glucose tolerance tests were carried out at the beginning and at the end of the experiment. Results. Similar body weight gain (10%) was observed in males and females on KD compared to the control group (p\u3c0.05). However, a higher BMI was observed only in males. The KD group consumed 50% less food in both sexes, whereas water consumption was diminished 25% in males and 50% in females, compared to the control (p= 0.0001). The estimated energy intake was lower (12 Kcal) in males on ketogenic diet, but not in females. Regarding the metabolic state at day 23, in KD mice levels of b-hidroxybutyrate increased to 0.4 mmol/L in males and 0.7 mmol/L in females. Mice of both sexes on KD showed increased inguinal and visceral fat, when compared to the control group on standard chow. At day 23, the glucose tolerance test showed an increase in the area under the curve, indicating impaired glucose tolerance, in both males and females on KD. Conclusions. In obesity-resistant BALB/c mice, the consumption of a ketogenic diet for a short period induces a state of nutritional ketosis accompanied by weight gain, increased fat tissue, and impaired glucose intolerance

Natural-based hydrogels for tissue engineering applications

In the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, hydrogels are used as biomaterials to support cell attachment and promote tissue regeneration due to their unique biomimetic characteristics. The use of natural-origin materials significantly influenced the origin and progress of the field due to their ability to mimic the native tissuesâ extracellular matrix and biocompatibility. However, the majority of these natural materials failed to provide satisfactory cues to guide cell differentiation toward the formation of new tissues. In addition, the integration of technological advances, such as 3D printing, microfluidics and nanotechnology, in tissue engineering has obsoleted the first generation of natural-origin hydrogels. During the last decade, a new generation of hydrogels has emerged to meet the specific tissue necessities, to be used with state-of-the-art techniques and to capitalize the intrinsic characteristics of natural-based materials. In this review, we briefly examine important hydrogel crosslinking mechanisms. Then, the latest developments in engineering natural-based hydrogels are investigated and major applications in the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine are highlighted. Finally, the current limitations, future challenges and opportunities in this field are discussed to encourage realistic developments for the clinical translation of tissue engineering strategies.Authors acknowledge financial support from the European Union Framework Programme for Research and Innovation Horizon 2020 under European Research Council grant agreement No. 772817; FCT (Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia) for individual fellowship CEECIND/01375/2017 (MGF); FCT for project PTDC/NAN-MAT/30595/2017; Xunta de Galicia for postdoctoral fellowship ED481B-2019-025 (AP); Norwegian Research Council (NFR) for project No. 287953

Una propuesta integradora de Mantenimiento Correctivo aplicada al Diseño Web Adaptativo y Accesibilidad Web

The increase of ICT has promoted free software such as Content Management System (CMS) that facilitate the efficient generation of digital content. CMS should be evaluated before to be to use, in order to generate accessible product. The work presents a corrective maintenance application implemented through Web Accessibility and Adaptive Web Design. The incorporation of this guidelines in software development, guarantee the quality of this products and promotes digital inclusion of individuals regardless of their abilities. El incremento de las TIC ha promovido el desarrollo de herramientas informáticas libres y gratuitas, como los Content Management System o Sistemas de Gestión de Contenidos que facilitan la generación eficaz de contenidos digitales. Éstos deben ser evaluados previos a su utilización, a los efectos de producir un producto accesible por todos los usuarios. Se presenta una experiencia de Mantenimiento Correctivo del software aplicada a la Accesibilidad Web y el Diseño Web Adaptativo. La incorporación de estas pautas en el desarrollo de software, permiten impulsar la generación de productos tecnológicos de calidad y fomentan la inclusión digital de los individuos independientemente de sus capacidade

Una propuesta integradora de Mantenimiento Correctivo aplicada al Diseño Web Adaptativo y Accesibilidad Web

The increase of ICT has promoted free software such as Content Management System (CMS) that facilitate the efficient generation of digital content. CMS should be evaluated before to be to use, in order to generate accessible product. The work presents a corrective maintenance application implemented through Web Accessibility and Adaptive Web Design. The incorporation of this guidelines in software development, guarantee the quality of this products and promotes digital inclusion of individuals regardless of their abilities. El incremento de las TIC ha promovido el desarrollo de herramientas informáticas libres y gratuitas, como los Content Management System o Sistemas de Gestión de Contenidos que facilitan la generación eficaz de contenidos digitales. Éstos deben ser evaluados previos a su utilización, a los efectos de producir un producto accesible por todos los usuarios. Se presenta una experiencia de Mantenimiento Correctivo del software aplicada a la Accesibilidad Web y el Diseño Web Adaptativo. La incorporación de estas pautas en el desarrollo de software, permiten impulsar la generación de productos tecnológicos de calidad y fomentan la inclusión digital de los individuos independientemente de sus capacidade

Gestión de la información en Educación Superior. Una experiencia de evolución del software con sistemas gestores de contenidos

La Educación Superior ofrece un vasto dominio para el diseño y desarrollo de soluciones tecnologías orientadas a la gestión de la información. Se presenta una experiencia fundadas en conceptos teóricos de la evolución del software, en particular su mantenimiento, actividad que permite modificar el mismo conservando su integridad. Esta actividad continúa durante su tiempo de vida, dado que en la práctica sufren cambios para su permanencia y utilidad; existiendo diferentes factores que inciden en su ejecución, lo que  permiten clasificarlos en mantenimiento correctivo y perfectivo, entre otros. Los Sistemas Gestores de  Contenidos o CMS son ampliamente aplicados en una  diversidad de soluciones para mediar la comunicación con los usuarios finales. En la propuesta se resume una práctica atinente a la evolución del software centrada en el mantenimiento perfectivo aplicado en un sistema gestor de contenidos de código abierto.Artículo revisado por pare

Una propuesta integradora de Mantenimiento Correctivo aplicada al Diseño Web Adaptativo y Accesibilidad Web

The increase of ICT has promoted free software such as Content Management System (CMS) that facilitate the efficient generation of digital content. CMS should be evaluated before to be to use, in order to generate accessible product. The work presents a corrective maintenance application implemented through Web Accessibility and Adaptive Web Design. The incorporation of this guidelines in software development, guarantee the quality of this products and promotes digital inclusion of individuals regardless of their abilities. El incremento de las TIC ha promovido el desarrollo de herramientas informáticas libres y gratuitas, como los Content Management System o Sistemas de Gestión de Contenidos que facilitan la generación eficaz de contenidos digitales. Éstos deben ser evaluados previos a su utilización, a los efectos de producir un producto accesible por todos los usuarios. Se presenta una experiencia de Mantenimiento Correctivo del software aplicada a la Accesibilidad Web y el Diseño Web Adaptativo. La incorporación de estas pautas en el desarrollo de software, permiten impulsar la generación de productos tecnológicos de calidad y fomentan la inclusión digital de los individuos independientemente de sus capacidade